POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3862, 25 October 1928, Page 3

POLITICAL.

MR. LINKLATER AT MOUTOA. On Tuesday evening Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., official' Reform candidate for Manawatu, 3poke: to a large audience at Moutoa. The meeting was presided over by Mr. W. T. Jewell, who, in introducing the speaker, said that the old adage that by a man’s deeds so shall he be known applied to Mr. Linklater. By his work in Parliament, during his six years of representation he was well and favourably known throughout the Manawatu. There had been many contentious matters before Parliament during that time and on all occasions, he was pleased to say, Mr. Linklater had always been present and acted in the best interests of the constituency. Mr. Jewell said he felt sure that the electors would again repose their confidence in him at the coming election and return him for a further period. (Applause).

Mr. Linklater referred to all matters of interest which had come before the House during the past three years and was accorded a very attentive hearing. At the conclusion of' Mr. Linklater’s address the chairman said he felt sure all would agree that the speaker’s remarks had been illuminating and interesting in connection with the work of Parliament since last election. There was no doubt that the last Parliament had done a great deal for the man on the land, and that members had undoubtedly made a genuine effort to benefit the farming community throughout the country. The Advances to Settlers and Rural Credits, if properly administered were most beneficial. Mr. Jewell said he felt sure that the meeting was perfectly satisfied with the present Government and with the individual efforts of their representative. On the motion of Messrs W. H. Smith and Piggott, a motion of thanks and confidence was accorded Mr. Linklater. The motion was carried by acclamation. The usual compliment to the chair concluded the meeting. ' “ALMOST FORGOTTEN.” “New Zealand’s credit never stood better than it does to-day, and who is responsible?” asked the Prime Minister at his Invercargill meeting. A voice: “Joey Ward.” Mr. Coates: “We have almost forgotten that the Right Hon. gentleman ever occupied the Treasury Benches. He is in no way responsible for the present prosperity of the country.” A voice: “We know our onions.” Mr. Coates then proceeded to quote complimentary references to the credit of New Zealand made by notable financial critics abroad, but there were frequent interruptions. “It’s well to take notice of what other people say,” said Mr. Coates. “Some of my friends at the back say we don’t know how to run the show. The people lam quoting are some of the greatest financiers in the world, so the folk at the back must be wonders.” (Laughter). Mr. John Loudon, United Party candidate for ChalmeTS, announces his retirement from the contest, as he is unable to subscribe to Sir Joseph Ward’s loan policy.

TIME LIMIT FOE SPEECHES. A self-denying ordinance that all candidates might well copy has been put upon himself by Mr. J. J. Donald, United Party candidate for Auckland East. It is that in the present election campaign he will address no meetings for more than an hour and a-quarter. Mr. Donald told a Newmarket audience that he had set this limit because he believed plenty of time should be left for answering questions, and questions brought a candidate more into touch with the electors than speechmaking. The origin of the “Ward Milions” scheme has set the Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, thinking. Speaking at Greytown last week, Mi-. McLeod said : “We, in Parliament, have a deep personal respect for Sir Joseph Ward. We recognise him as a politician of a past generation, who has done service to the Dominion and the Empire, although we did not always agree with him, by any means. His Auckland financial proposals have astounded us, and his best friends are asking where he is getting to. The question is being asked: Is the policy set out one of his own thinking or have irresponsibles without financial knowledge worded it for him'?” “Know him! Of course I know him,” indignantly replied a swarthy middle-aged citizen, who came beaming out of the hall after a recent election address. He had been conversing with the Prime Minister and was subjected to the query by a mate. “I just went up to him, tapped him on the shoulder and said ‘Hullo Gordon!’ He knew me. I wds in the trenches with him.” ME. SMALL AT LEVIN. At Levin last evening, Mr. P. J. Small addressed, an audience of over 300 on the land, public works, railways and taxation questions and received a vote of thanks. Mr. T. Hobson, the Mayor presided. In reply to questions, the candidate said it was a waste of public money to place Massey College at Palmerston North, considering the Government had the necessary property and buildings at Weraroa. If the Levin-Greatford deviation were proved a paying proposition, he would support it. The motor ve-

hides tax was too heavy and persecuting methods were being employed to drive competition to the railways off the road. The method of legislation by Order-in-Council was also attacked. REFORM CONFERENCE AT FOXTON. CONFIDENCE IN MR. LINKLATER. A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. A representative meeting of supporters of the Reform Party was held in Foxton yesterday and was presided over by Mr. B. G. Gower, chairman of the local committee.

There were present the following delegates from the different centres in the electorate: Messrs W. E. Barber (chairman Manawatu County Council), A. W. Hutchings (Levin), J. R. Whyte (Tokomaru), W. T. Jewell (Marotiri), Geo. Barber (Moutoa), H. J. Fagan (Sanson), 11. Bond (Rangiotu), J. H. Wilton (Mangawhata), R. J. Boyce (Glen Oroua), D. Collis (Kairanga), J. Cheetham (Newbury), P. Hansen (Kauwhata), and E. Sutton, R. N. Speirs, A. K. Speirs, A. Ross, and J. K. Hornblow (all of Foxton). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs C. Speirs (Shannon), S. Jackson (Poroutawhao), H. Lancaster (Glen Oroua), J. H. Perrett (Sanson), J. F. Knight (Newbury), H. Campbell (Awahuri), and W. S. Penny (Sanson). After hearing very satisfactory reports from the various centres of the electorate as to the progress of the campaign, the following resolution was carried unanimously:-

“That this meeting of representatives of the Reform Party in the Manawatu Electorate expresses entire confidence in Mr. J. Linklater as their representative in Parliament, and pledges itself to do their utmost to secure his re-election.’* Mr. Linklaer was present at the meeting and he cordially thanked the delegates for their renewed confidence. He was pledged to maintain the principles that the Reform Party stood for, and which were the best guarantees for the future stability and prosperity of the Dominion. (Applause). If he was again returned, as the splendid support he was receiving indicated would be the case, the electorate could rely on his doing, as he had done in the past, everything possible to advance its interests.

The manner in, which the Prime Minister (Mr. Coates) entered politics, was disclosed by Mr. Mr. F. A. .Jones, Mayor of Dargaville, who presided at Mr. Cpates’s meeting. He recalled how seventeen years ago a deputation of electors had persuaded Mr. Coates to offer his services to the country, and they had every reason to be satisfied with their choice. One part, at least, of this remark, was challenged by Mr. Coates. “Mr. Jones said they persuaded me,” the Prime Minister said. “Don’t you believe it; they trapped me. They got me into it, and then I thought, as the diggers have always said, ‘Well, now I am in for it, I’ll give it a go,’ and I have tried always to do so.” (Cheers).